Is Paul Crouch a homo? Would you pay someone half a million dollars to make them go away? Oh, and the money didn't come from 'ministry funds' either.
Monday, September 13, 2004
TBN verifies founder paid to avert sex suit
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES – The founder of the world's largest Christian broadcasting network has sought repeatedly to prevent a former male employee from going public with allegations of a sexual encounter between them eight years ago, a newspaper reported Sunday. Paul Crouch has denied the allegations in court papers.
Crouch, 70, president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, reached a $425,000 settlement in 1998 with the former worker, Enoch Lonnie Ford, 41, who threatened to sue over charges that he was unjustly fired from the network, the Los Angeles Times said.
In a statement Sunday, TBN said Crouch denies any wrongdoing and agreed to settle the case "reluctantly" on the advice of attorneys and spiritual leaders who said it would be better to reach a financial settlement than fight his accuser in court.
"The importance of the settlement does not rest on the money paid, but rather on Dr. Crouch's vehement denial of the allegations made against him as well as the agreement of the accuser to keep confidential and refrain from repeating his false claims and accusations," the statement said.
TBN said no ministry funds were used in the settlement.
The claims could damage the Costa Mesa-based Christian broadcasting empire Crouch and his wife began in 1973. The network, which depends heavily on donations, reaches millions of people around the world.
